Lift for raising and lowering the user of a toilet

ABSTRACT

A lift for facilitating the raising and lowering of a user of a toilet, the lift includes a motor connected to a frame. The motor drives a screw or worm drive which raises and lowers support members connected to a seat. Handles can also be connected to the support members and seat for a user&#39;s convenience and safety. Typically the lift is positioned about and over a typical toilet, however a removable bowl could be attached under the seat to facilitate a portable lift to be used away from a toilet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for assisting physically disabled persons, more specifically but not by way of limitation to a lift system for assisting physically disabled persons to sit upon and be removed from a toilet.

BACKGROUND

Individuals hampered by a physical handicap or disability often suffer from the inconvenience of needing help to do what many take for granted, including the most natural acts. For example the simple act of going to the bathroom for these individuals can be a very difficult and frustrating process. Although some may be able to get to the toilet without hindrance, many have great difficulty in sitting upon and getting up from the toilet. In many sitting upon and getting up the toilet is not possible without assistance.

Therefore there is a need for an assist device that facilitates easy access to a toilet, and in particular facilitates the sitting upon and getting up from the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a from perspective view of a toilet seat lift with a protective/decorative cover in accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of a toilet seat lift in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side elevational view of a toilet seat lift in a first or down position in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side elevational view of a toilet seat lift in a second or up position in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a left side elevational view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of parts of the present inventions; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cover in accordance with the principles of the present inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular FIG. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a toilet seat lift 100. In this embodiment, toilet seat lift 100 is designed to be placed over a standard type toilet 110. Toilet seat lift 100 includes a base 115, a toilet seat 120, handles 125 and a cover 130. Cover 130 could be made of various materials including plastics or metals.

In operation, toilet seat lift 100 is placed over the opening of toilet 110 such that toilet seat 120 is in alignment there with. Cover 130 provides not only esthetic functionality but helps protect the user of toilet seat lift 100 from the inner workings (see for example FIGS. 2-4 described in more detail herein below). Toilet seat lift 100 is illustrated in the up position. A user, utilizing handles 125 would stand in front of toilet seat lift 100 and partially sit on seat 120. When activated, toilet seat lift 100 would slowly lower toilet seat lift 100 to the down position such that toilet seat 120 is generally planar with the opening of toilet 110. This lowering would facilitate the user to be able to easily go from a standing position to a sitting position on toilet seat 120.

Conversely, when activated, toilet seat lift 100 would then be slowly lifted back to the up position. This raising of toilet seat lift 100 facilitates the user to be able to easily remove themselves from the toilet seat 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, there is illustrated toilet seat lift 200, similar to the embodiment of toilet seat lift 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the cover 130 removed. As illustrated toilet seat lift 200 includes a base 215, a toilet seat 220, handles 225, a motor 230 mounted to base 215, seat supports 235 and 240, a worm or drive screw 247 connected to motor 230 and seat support 235. Supports 245 and 250 are connected to base 215. Upper raising arms 255 and 260 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) are connected at one end to horizontal support 275 and are also pivotally connected at a second end to seat supports 235 and 240, respectively. Lower raising arms 265 and 270 are pivotally connected at one end to supports 245 and 250, respectively, and are also pivotally connected at a second end to seat supports 234 and 240 respectively. A cover 232 is shown in dashed lines.

Shaft 277 of horizontal support 275 is pivotally interconnected between supports 245 and 250. Bracket 280 is interconnected between seat support 235 and handles 225 and bracket 285 is interconnected between seat support 240 and handles 225. Brackets 280 and 285 include multiple holes, such as hole 290, which allow for brackets 280 and 285 to be adjustable such that the height of handles 225 can be varied to a user preference. Handles 225 could also include pads 300 for a users comfort in gripping handles 255 during the user of toilet seat lift 200. A user adjustable limit switch 310 would interface with toilet seat lift 200 so that a user can preconfigure how high toilet seat lift 200 will move.

Although toilet seat lift 200 is illustrated with a single motor 230 and drive screw 247, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that an additional motor and drive screw assembly could be similarly utilized on the right side of toilet seat lift 200. This would facilitate increasing the lifting power of toilet seat lift 200. Motor 230 could be virtually any standard type of motor, including but not limited to and 110V AC motor with a ground fault breaker, or a 12V DC motor.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the operation of toilet seat lift 200 will now be described. Toilet seat lift 200 is placed over an existing toilet such that toilet seat 230 is in alignment with the opening of the toilet. Brackets 280 and 285 are adjusted to select a preferred height of toilet seat 230 for a user. As illustrated, toilet seat lift 200 is movable between a down position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and an up position as illustrated in FIG. 4. Limit switch 310 can be adjusted such that the users preferred height of toilet seat lift 200 can be achieved. Limit switch 310 can also be adjusted to shut off motor 230 when the lower limit of toilet seat lift 200 has been achieved.

To raise toilet seat lift 200, motor 230 is activated and drives screw 247 in a first direction driving upper raising arms 255 and 260 and lower raising arms 265 and 270 to lift seat supports 235 and 240. Similarly, to lower toilet seat lift 200, motor is activated and drives screw 247 in a second direction driving upper raising arms 255 and 260 and lower raising arms 265 and 270 to lower seat supports 235 and 240. One advantage of using screw 247, among other things, is to facilitate a smooth and quite operation. Additionally the speed at which screw 247 can be driven, and therefore ultimately the speed which toilet seat lift 200 can be raised and lowered, can be easily adjusted to a users preference.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of toilet seat lift 200 as similarly shown in FIGS. 2-4. In addition to the elements and features illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, this embodiment of toilet seat lift 200 includes a removable slide bowl 320 that is placeable under seat 220, such that toilet seat lift 200 would not have to be placed over a standard toilet. Additionally toilet seat lift 200 includes wheels 325 and 330, which are retractable into recesses 335 and 340 of base 215. This preferred embodiment enables toilet seat lift 200 to operate as a portable lift. As can be appreciated additional wheels and recesses would be positioned on the corresponding opposite side of frame 215.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated another embodiment of toilet seat lift 200 as similarly shown in FIGS. 2-4. In addition to the elements and features illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, this embodiment of toilet seat lift 200 includes a removable large funnel 350 that is placeable under seat 220 and over the opening of the toilet. This would facilitate the direction of matter to be discharged into the toilet.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated in more detail an exploded view of shaft 277, horizontal support 275 and raising arms 255 and 260 as described herein above. Raising arms 255 and 260 are each connected at one end to the ends of horizontal support 275. Shaft 277 extends through horizontal support 275 for connection to supports 245 and 250. Bearings 279 are located at each end of horizontal support 275 to facilitate the raising and lowering of upper raising arms 255 and 260.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment 500 to cover 530. As illustrated multiple notches 540 and 545 are for receiving ends of one piece handle 525 to facilitate the adjustment of the position of handle 525 with respect to toiled seat 520, as well as the removal of handle 525 from cover 530. Only one handle 525 is illustrated for clarity purposes, however a second handle of similar construction to handle 525 can be inserted into notches 542 and 547. For each of the embodiments herein, it is contemplated that the covers can be made out of recycled plastic in one piece, two pieces, or multiple pieces.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A device for facilitating the use of a toilet, said device comprising; a base, said base including a first support; a motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction; a first seat support; a seat connected to said seat support; a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support; and a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
 2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
 3. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
 4. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including a funnel, said funnel removably connected under said seat.
 5. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of said device.
 6. The device recited in claim 1, and further including a handle connected to said seat support.
 7. The device as recited in claim 6, and further including a pad positioned on said handle.
 8. A toilet seat lift comprising: a base, said base including a first support and a second support; at least one motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction; a first seat support and a second seat support; a seat connected to said first seat support and said second seat support; a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support and a second lift arm pivotally connected between said second support of said base and said second seat support; and a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
 9. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said first seat support and said second seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
 10. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
 11. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a funnel, said funnel removably connected under said seat.
 12. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of toilet seat lift.
 13. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 8, and further including a handle connected to said first seat support and said second seat support.
 14. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 8, and further including a limit switch connected to said motor device.
 15. A toilet seat lift comprising: a base, said base including a first support and a second support; at least one motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction; a limit switch connected to said motor, said limit switch for limiting the operation of said motor; a first seat support and a second seat support; a seat connected to said first seat support and said second seat support; a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support and a second lift arm pivotally connected between said second support of said base and said second seat support; and a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
 16. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 15, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said first seat support and said second seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
 17. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 16, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
 18. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a funnel, said funnel removable connected under said seat.
 19. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 18, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of toilet seat lift.
 20. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 19, and further including a handle connected to said first seat support and said second seat support. 